I know there are some experienced footers here. I have been barefooting for years - mainly off a kneeboard. I now have a real barefoot suit and am trying to learn deepwater starts. My only success so far is flushing half the lake through my nose. I am working with a boom - using a short rope with a barefoot handle. Arching my back on the start, riding on my butt for a little (while which is a very unstable position). I can't seem to stablize without falling. I am particularly interested in advice on speeds - generally speaking what speed do you sit up, take feet off the rope, go into the three point sitting position, etc... My driver is not very experienced at pulling b'foot - so I'm sure that is not helping. Any advice is appreciated - I'm heading out tomorrow (Friday) morning at 8:00 AM to go at it again.

It has been a long while but the driver was the big part with me! I went from a kneeboard also to deepwater. 100' line and a nice suit worked well. At the time I was much lighter but would "Cheek" it out at around 28-30 MPH and once planted the driver would bury it to around 38-40. I am sure you will get some solid advice here but one thing I believe is correct is the driver has to know their role.

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BAREFOOTING: I knew it was gonna hurt when I felt my arse cheeks hit me in the back of my head!

Driver is very important. Try reading this link, it sums up everything I would tell a new footer. When I am on long line, I have the driver signal with thier had in the air that I am up to my barefoot speed. This link has a lot of good advice.

Erk nailing the tumble up above is quite nice, but if you're just learning I'd go for a straight deep water.

Been footing for about 20 years now, but a couple things over the last couple years have made my deeps much more enjoyable. First, get a pair of shorties (padded shorts). You can't imagine the difference riding with a pair of shorts compared to not....Second thing I've just picked up recently is when you get up on your cheeks and are trying to get your balance try keeping the toes of one of your wakeside foot on the rope as you take your other foot off to get it set to put in...This also will help you steer as you get out long line and need to get out of the wake. The key to riding your cheeks is slow and deliberate movements. Once you get your balance with one foot off the rope then you can get comfortable taking the other off....Once you get to where you're comfortable riding on your butt you're gold. Just remember set the feet in soft and let the boat pull you out just as if you were sitting on the board and you'll be good to go....Good luck....